Amboseli National Park is famous for its proximity to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and for the hundreds of elephants that inhabit it. All absolutely true. The feeling of passing through herds of elephants while the summit is smiling down at you…
Arriving at Amboseli National Park
We arrived around noon and it was cloudy. It was the first time we saw real clouds and felt slightly cool air in the middle of the day. However, it was exactly when we needed it to be clear so we could see Kilimanjaro and dreamed of climbing it one day (check out this really cool packing list for Mount Kilimanjaro). Even though the clouds you can sense its proximity. It’s like it starts at the end of a huge flat yard at the end of the meadow. It must be magical to put the elephant’s home behind and climb steadily up above all the reserves and dusty roads…
We drifted off and all the while a group of monkeys has surrounded our little house and are jumping around. They must feel like hosts or even owners of the wooden cabins and it is hard to catch them distracted so you can slip through the door. If you want to keep your hidden food supplies to be destroyed, you’d better lock your door tight. The monkeys had found the cool spot and the shier people had to skirt around them.
Elephants, elephants, elephants!
The elephant families are big and close.
They pass very carefully by the jeeps and the vans and hide the small ones behind their legs. The babies are so cute, like chubby smaller models of the adults. Their smiles are very child-like and they even resemble our kids when they get curious and try to separate from the group until one gentle mother ushers them back in.
We are hearing all kinds of noises and we are wondering when the fight between the two males will begin. Dust is rising and engulfing the action. These wise animals with good memory support the tradition of defending your honor, winning the hearts of the females and protecting the collective spirit of the family, which is headed with a heavy step towards the meeting place.
The morning proved to be wiser and more valuable than the evening. After fighting slight stomach problems at an elegant restaurant, we spend the morning on the bumpy roads of the national park and Kilimanjaro smiles at us in all its majesty.
Аmboseli national park fees
Amboseli entrance fees vary, mostly depending on your nationality. If you’re going on an organized safari tour, then you don’t have to worry about paying separate fees for all the reserves you visit. If you want to explore the reserve independently/partially independently, then the entrance fee for a foreigner is 75 USD in high season (40 USD for a child) and 60 USD for the low season (and 30 USD for a child). East African citizens have to pay 500 KSH (200 KSH for children and students), while residents (people who stay in Kenya and East African countries) pay 1000 KSH (500 for students and children).
You also pay a fee if you choose to take part in an activity organized by the Amboseli National Park. Activities consist of night/day/guided game drives, walking safari, cycling, horseback riding, etc. You can find more info on pricing here.
We would highly recommend Amboseli National Park for all those enjoying encounters with elephants. There are so many of them and it’s quite fascinating to observe them. Also, Mount Kilimanjaro will be here to say hi on sunny days and inspire you to conquer it!
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